Display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus comprises a first substrate comprising a first external surface and a first internal surface; a second substrate having a second external surface and a second internal surface facing the first internal surface of the first substrate; and a display unit disposed between the first and second substrates and comprising an array of pixels. The first substrate comprises a first side connecting the first external surface and the first internal surface. In a cross section perpendicular to the first external surface, the first side comprises a first straight region and a first curved region located between the straight region and the first internal surface. The second substrate comprises a second side connecting the first external surface and the first internal surface. The second side comprises a second straight region and a second curved region located between the straight region and the second internal surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2015-0053138, filed on Apr. 15, 2015, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

One or more embodiments relate to a display apparatus and a method ofmanufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a display apparatusthat is easily manufactured and has increased impact resistance, and amethod of manufacturing the display apparatus.

2. Discussion of the Related Technology

Studies are actively being conducted on a display apparatus, such as anorganic light-emitting display apparatus or a liquid crystal displayapparatus, since the display apparatus is thin and flexible. The displayapparatus may have a structure in which a first substrate, on which adisplay unit is formed, is combined to a second substrate by using anencapsulation member, with the display unit interposed between the firstand second substrates.

However, an external impact may easily damage the first substrate and/orthe second substrate of the display apparatus having such a structure.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments include a display apparatus that is easilymanufactured and has increased impact resistance, and a method ofmanufacturing the display apparatus.

One aspect of the invention provides a display apparatus, which maycomprise: a first substrate comprising a first external surface and afirst internal surface; a second substrate having a second externalsurface and a second internal surface facing the first internal surfaceof the first substrate; and a display unit disposed between the firstand second substrates and comprising an array of pixels, wherein thefirst substrate comprises a first side connecting the first externalsurface and the first internal surface, wherein, in a cross sectionperpendicular to the first external surface, the first side comprises afirst straight region and a first curved region located between thefirst straight region and the first internal surface, wherein the secondsubstrate comprises a second side connecting the first external surfaceand the first internal surface, wherein, in the cross section, thesecond side comprises a second straight region and a second curvedregion located between the second straight region and the secondinternal surface.

In the foregoing apparatus, the apparatus may further comprise anadhesive member disposed between the first internal surface and thesecond internal surface and combining the first and second substratestogether. The adhesive member may comprise an outer side surface and aninner side surface which are curved, wherein a radius of curvature ofthe inner side surface is less than a radius of curvature of the outersurface. The adhesive member may comprise an outer side surface which iscurved, wherein the first curved region of the first substrate, theouter side surface of the adhesive member, and the second curved regionof the second substrate may form a convex surface. In the cross section,the convex surface may have a continuously curved feature.

Still in the foregoing apparatus, the first straight region of the firstsubstrate may be substantially perpendicular to the first externalsurface of the first substrate. The second straight region of the secondsubstrate may be substantially perpendicular to the second externalsurface of the second substrate. The apparatus may further comprise afilm covering the first external surface while not covering the firstside of the first substrate.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of manufacturing adisplay apparatus, which may comprise: providing an intermediate productcomprising: a first substrate comprising a first external surface and afirst internal surface; a second substrate comprising a second externalsurface and a second internal surface; a display unit comprising anarray of pixels disposed between the first substrate and the secondsubstrate; and an adhesive member located between the first internalsurface of the first substrate and the second internal surface of thesecond substrate to surround the display unit and combining the firstand second substrates together; and cutting the intermediate product tomake a final product, wherein, in the final product, the first substratecomprises a first side connecting the first external surface and thefirst internal surface, wherein, in a cross section perpendicular to thefirst external surface, the first side comprises a first straight regionand a first curved region located between the first straight region andthe first internal surface, and further such that the second substratecomprises a second side connecting the first external surface and thefirst internal surface, wherein, in the cross section, the second sidecomprises a second straight region and a second curved region locatedbetween the second straight region and the second internal surface.

In the foregoing method, the method may further comprise irradiatinglight beams to a part of the adhesive member such that after curing theadhesive member, the adhesive member comprises a cured portion and anuncured portion, the cured portion being disposed between the displayunit and the uncured portion. Cutting may comprise moving a first cutterto contact the first substrate at a first cutting point on the firstexternal surface, the first cutting point being located between anoutermost end of the cured portion and the display unit when viewed in aviewing direction perpendicular to the first external surface. When acenter of the cured portion is defined between the outermost end and aninnermost end of the cured portion, the first cutting point may belocated between the outermost end and the center of the cured portion.Cutting may further comprise advancing the first cutter in a thicknessdirection of the first substrate toward the first internal surface onlyby a first distance which is smaller than a thickness of the firstsubstrate, wherein a remaining portion of the first substrate is cutwithout further advancing the first cutter in the thickness direction ofthe first substrate toward the first internal surface.

Still in the foregoing method, cutting may further comprise moving asecond cutter to contact the second substrate at a second cutting pointon the second external surface, the second cutting point being locatedbetween the outermost end of the cured portion and the display unit whenviewed in a viewing direction perpendicular to the first externalsurface. Cutting may further comprise advancing the first cutter in athickness direction of the first substrate toward the first internalsurface only a first distance which is smaller than a thickness of thefirst substrate, and advancing the second cutter in a thicknessdirection of the second substrate toward the second internal surfaceonly a second distance which is smaller than a thickness of the secondsubstrate, wherein remaining portions of the first and second substratesare cut without further advancing the first and second cutters towardthe first and second interior surfaces, respectively. The remainingportions of the first and second substrates may be spontaneously cut orthe remaining portions of the first and second substrates are cut byapplying a force to the first or second substrate. Cutting may furthercomprise transferring the first cutter along a first predetermined linealong the first external surface and transferring the second cutteralong a second predetermined line along the second external surfaceafter advancing the first and second cutters, wherein the first andsecond predetermined lines overlap the cured portion of the adhesivemember.

Yet in the foregoing method, the method may further comprise forming aconductive pattern for a touch screen and a blocking pattern over thesecond external surface of the second substrate, wherein the blockingpattern blocks the light beams not to reach the other part of theadhesive member while irradiating the light beams to form the uncuredportion of the adhesive member. The uncured portion of the adhesivemember and the blocking pattern may be removed while cutting theintermediate product such that the final product does not comprise theblocking pattern and the uncured portion of the adhesive member. Themethod may further comprise adhering a film covering at least one of thefirst external surface of the first substrate and the second externalsurface of the second substrate while not covering side surfaces of thefirst substrate and the second substrate.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the presented embodiments.

According to one or more embodiments, a display apparatus includes: afirst substrate having a first external surface and a first internalsurface; a second substrate having a second external surface and asecond internal surface facing the first internal surface of the firstsubstrate; and a display unit disposed between the first and secondsubstrates and including a display device, wherein the first substratehas a first constant region having a uniform width and a firstincreasing region having an increasing width, in a direction from thefirst external surface to the first internal surface, and the secondsubstrate has a second constant region having a uniform width and asecond increasing region having an increasing width, in a direction fromthe second external surface to the second internal surface.

The display apparatus may further include a combining member disposedbetween an edge of the first internal surface and an edge of the secondinternal surface to combine the first and second substrates together.

A radius of curvature of an inner surface of the combining member in adirection of the display unit may be less than a radius of curvature ofan outer surface of the combining member in a direction opposite to thedisplay unit.

A side surface of the first increasing region of the first substrate, anouter surface of the combining member in a direction opposite to thedisplay unit, and a side surface of the second increasing region of thesecond substrate may form a convex surface. The convex surface may be acontinuous surface.

A side surface of the first constant region of the first substrate maybe perpendicular to the first external surface of the first substrate.

A side surface of the second constant region of the second substrate maybe perpendicular to the second external surface of the second substrate.

The display apparatus may further include a film covering at least oneof the first external surface of the first substrate and the secondexternal surface of the second substrate while not covering sidesurfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate.

According to one or more embodiments, a method of manufacturing adisplay apparatus, the method includes: preparing a first substratehaving a first external surface and a second internal surface; preparinga second substrate having a second external surface and a secondinternal surface; forming a display unit having a display device, on thefirst internal surface of the first substrate; locating a combiningmember between the first internal surface of the first substrate and thesecond internal surface of the second substrate to surround the displayunit and combining the first and second substrates together; and cuttingthe first and second substrates such that a region of the firstsubstrate, which corresponds to the display unit, has a first constantregion having a uniform width and a first increasing region having anincreasing width in a direction from the first external surface to thefirst internal surface, and a region of the second substrate, whichcorresponds to the display unit, has a second constant region having auniform width and a second increasing region having an increasing widthin a direction from the second external surface to the second internalsurface.

The method may further include exposing a part of the combining memberin a direction of the display unit or exposing a part of the combiningmember excluding an edge of the combining member.

The cutting may include start cutting at a cutting point in regions ofthe first external surface of the first substrate and the secondexternal surface of the second substrate which correspond to thecombining member, the cutting point being closer to the display unitthan a location between an exposed region of the combining member and anunexposed region of the combining member which is far from the displayunit.

When a center of the exposed region of the combining member is a firstpoint, the boundary between the exposed region of the combining memberand the unexposed region of the combining member which is far from thedisplay unit, is a second point, and a center between the first andsecond points is a third point, the cutting point may correspond to thethird point, or correspond to a position between the second and thirdpoints.

The cutting may include cutting the first and second substrates only upto the first constant region of the first substrate and the secondconstant region of the second substrate by using a cutting wheel.

The cutting may include simultaneously cutting the first and secondsubstrates inward by making the cutting wheel contact the first externalsurface of the first substrate and the second external surface of thesecond substrate.

The cutting may include letting the first increasing region of the firstsubstrate and the second increasing region of the second substrate beself-cut by internal stress.

The method may further include forming a conductive pattern and ablocking pattern for a touch screen, on the second external surface ofthe second substrate, wherein the exposing may include exposing only aregion of the combining member in a direction of the display unit byusing the blocking pattern, or exposing a region of the combining memberexcluding an edge of the combining member.

The cutting may include cutting the first and second substrates suchthat the blocking pattern is removed.

The method may further include adhering a film covering at least one ofthe first external surface of the first substrate and the secondexternal surface of the second substrate while not covering sidesurfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readilyappreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 through 7 are cross-sectional views for describing processes ofa method of manufacturing a display apparatus, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a region B of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view for describing a process of a method ofmanufacturing a display apparatus, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view for describing a process of a methodof manufacturing a display apparatus, according to another embodiment;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are respectively a plan view and a cross-sectional viewfor describing a process of method of manufacturing a display apparatus,according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view for describing a process of a methodof manufacturing a display apparatus, according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In this regard, thepresent embodiments may have different forms and should not be construedas being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, theembodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, toexplain aspects of the present description.

In drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughoutand overlapping descriptions shall not be repeated.

It will be understood that when a layer, region, or component isreferred to as being “formed on,” another layer, region, or component,it can be directly or indirectly formed on the other layer, region, orcomponent. That is, for example, intervening layers, regions, orcomponents may be present. Sizes of elements in the drawings may beexaggerated for convenience of explanation. In other words, since sizesand thicknesses of components in the drawings are arbitrarilyillustrated for convenience of explanation, the following embodimentsare not limited thereto.

In the following examples, the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis are notlimited to three axes of the rectangular coordinate system, and may beinterpreted in a broader sense. For example, the x-axis, the y-axis, andthe z-axis may be perpendicular to one another, or may representdifferent directions that are not perpendicular to one another.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “atleast one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire listof elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

FIGS. 1 through 7 are cross-sectional views for describing processes ofa method of manufacturing a display apparatus, according to anembodiment.

According to the method of the current embodiment, a first substrate 110is prepared. The first substrate 110 that may be formed of glass has afirst internal surface 111 and a first external surface 112, as shown inFIG. 1, and the first external surface 112 may be understood to be anexternal surface after the first substrate 110 is combined to a secondsubstrate 120 later. Here, a side surface of the first substrate 110 maybe understood to be a region connecting the first internal surface 111to the first external surface 112.

After preparing the first substrate 110 as such, a display unit 130having a display device is formed on or over the first internal surface111 of the first substrate 110. The display device may be an organiclight-emitting device, a liquid crystal device, or another displaydevice. Of course, a structure of the display unit 130 is not limitedthereto, and the display unit 130 may further include an electronicdevice, such as a thin-film transistor and/or a capacitor.

Meanwhile, the second substrate 120 (refer to FIG. 2) that may be formedof glass is prepared. The second substrate 120 has a second internalsurface 121 and a second external surface 122. An order of preparing thefirst and second substrates 110 and 120 is not limited, for example, thefirst and second substrates 110 and 120 may be simultaneously preparedor one of the first and second substrates 110 and 120 may be preparedfirst.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2, a combining or adhesive member 140 is locatedbetween the first internal surface 111 of the first substrate 110 andthe second internal surface 121 of the second substrate 120 to surroundthe display unit 130, thereby combining or bonding the first and secondsubstrates 110 and 120. The combining member 140 may have a width of 200to 800 um and a thickness of 2 to 10 um. The combining or adhesivemember 140 may be formed of, for example, frit. Frit is a subsidiarymaterial of a glass raw material, and may be cured after being exposedto a laser beam. Frit may be a composition including 15 to 40 wt % ofV₂O₅, 10 to 30 wt % of TeO₂, 1 to 15 wt % of P₂O₅, 1 to 15 wt % of BaO,1 to 20 wt % of ZnO, 5 to 30 wt % of ZrO₂, 5 to 20 wt % of WO₃, and 1 to15 wt % of BaO as main ingredients, and at least one of Fe₂O₃, CuO, MnO,Al₂O₃, Na₂O, and Nb₂O₅ as an additive. Frit having such a compositionmay have a thermal expansion coefficient of 40 to 100×10⁻⁷/° C. and aglass transition temperature of 250 to 400° C. By using such frit, aregion cured later enables the first and second substrate 110 and 120 tohave internal stress having a distribution described below such thatside surfaces of the first and second substrates 110 and 120 are convexwhen the first and second substrates 110 and 120 are cut, as describedin detail later. In embodiments, the adhesive member 140 may function asa seal member for sealing between the first and second substrates andprotecting the display unit from outside materials or substances, forexample, moisture.

The combining member 140 may combine the first and second substrates 110and 120 together via any one of various methods. For example, thecombining member 140 may be located along an edge of the second internalsurface 121 of the second substrate 120 and then bond the first andsecond substrates 110 and 120. Alternatively, the combining member 140may be located along an edge of the first internal surface of the firstsubstrate 110 around the display unit 130 and then bond the first andsecond substrates 110 and 120. In any cases, a side surface of thecombining member 140 becomes convex as shown in FIG. 2 when the firstand second substrates 110 and 120 are bonded, as shown in FIG. 2. InFIG. 2, a side surface of the combining member 140 is convex towards thedisplay unit 130, and the other side surface of the combining member 140is also convex externally.

The, the first and second substrates 110 and 120 are cut to manufacturea display apparatus shown in FIG. 7. Cut shapes of the first and secondsubstrates 110 and 120 will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 7 and FIG. 8 that is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a region Bof FIG. 7. When cutting the first and second substrates 110 and 120, thefirst and second substrates 110 and 120 are cut such that the sidesurfaces have pre-set shapes.

In the first substrate 110, a region of the first substrate 110, whichcorresponds to the display unit 130, has a first constant region CR1having a uniform width and a first increasing region IR1 having anincreasing width, in a direction (a +y direction) from the firstexternal surface 112 to the first internal surface 111. Here, a widthmay be understood to be a length in an x-axis direction in FIGS. 7 and8. As shown in FIG. 7, a width measured along the x-axis directionbetween the first constant region CR1 of the right side and thecorresponding constant region of the left side is substantially uniform,whereas a width measured along the x-axis direction between theincreasing region IR1 of the right side and the increasing region of theleft side is changing. Also, the region corresponding to the displayunit 130 may not only includes a region on which the display unit 130 isdisposed, but may also include a region corresponding to the combiningmember 140 (a region 141 of FIGS. 7 and 8). When the first substrate 110is cut, the side surface of the first substrate 110 may have a firstconstant side surface 110 b that is adjacent to the first externalsurface 112 and approximately perpendicular to the first externalsurface 112, and a first increasing side surface 110 a that is convexexternally in a direction (the +y direction) from the first constantside surface 110 b to the first internal surface 111 of the firstsubstrate 110. Here, the first constant side surface 110 b is a sidesurface of the first constant region CR1 of the first substrate 110.

As shown in FIG. 7, in a cross section taken perpendicular to theexternal surface of the first substrate, the constant region CR1 may beillustrated as a straight portion extending along a thickness directionof the first substrate. Further, in the same cross section, theincreasing region IR1 may be illustrated as a convexly curved portion.

In the second substrate 120, a region of the second substrate 120, whichcorresponds to the display unit 130, has a second constant region CR2having a uniform width and a second increasing region IR2 having anincreasing width, in a direction (a −y direction) from the secondexternal surface 122 to the second internal surface 121. Here, a widthmay be understood to be a length in an x-axis direction in FIGS. 7 and8. Also, the region corresponding to the display unit 130 may not onlyincludes a region on which the display unit 130 is disposed, but mayalso include a region corresponding to the combining member 140 (theregion 141 of FIGS. 7 and 8). When the second substrate 120 is cut, theside surface of the second substrate 120 may have a second constant sidesurface 120 b that is adjacent to the second external surface 122 andapproximately perpendicular to the second external surface 122, and asecond increasing side surface 120 a that is convex externally in adirection (the −y direction) from the second constant side surface 120 bto the second internal surface 121 of the second substrate 120. Here,the second constant side surface 120 b is a side surface of the secondconstant region CR2 of the second substrate 120.

As shown in FIG. 7, in a cross section taken perpendicular to theexternal surface of the second substrate, the constant region CR2 may beillustrated as a straight portion extending along a thickness directionof the second substrate. Further, in the same cross section, theincreasing region IR2 may be illustrated as a convexly curved portion.

In the display apparatus manufactured according to the method of thecurrent embodiment, a side surface of the display apparatus is convex inoverall, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. When the side surface of the displayapparatus is convex as such, a probability of the side surface of thedisplay apparatus being damaged by an external impact is remarkably lowcompared to when the side surface of the display apparatus is flat andperpendicular to the first external surface 112 of the first substrate110 or the second external surface 122 of the second substrate 120,because, when the side surface of the display apparatus is convex, aneffect as if the display apparatus has an arch structure is displayed,and thus impact resistance, in detail, strength with respect to a sideimpact, is increased. Accordingly, the display apparatus havingexcellent impact resistance is realized.

In embodiments, with respect to a thickness of the first substrate 110in the +y direction, a region occupied by the first constant region CR1may be larger than a region occupied by the first increasing region IR1.For example, with respect to the thickness of the first substrate 110 inthe +y direction, the region occupied by the first constant region CR1may be smaller than or equal to ½ of the region occupied by the firstincreasing region IR1. Similarly, with respect to a thickness of thesecond substrate 120 in the +y direction, a region occupied by thesecond constant region CR2 may be smaller than or equal to ½ of theregion occupied by the second increasing region IR2.

Meanwhile, in the display apparatus manufactured according to the methodof the current embodiment, the first substrate 110 has the firstconstant region CR1 in which the region of the first substrate 110,which corresponds to the display unit 130, has the uniform width in thedirection (the +y direction) from the first external surface 112 to thefirst internal surface 111, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Accordingly, inthe first constant region CR1, the first external surface 112 and thefirst constant side surface 110 b of the first substrate 110 areapproximately perpendicular to each other, and as a result, a boundaryis clear between the first external surface 112 and the first constantside surface 110 b of the first substrate 110. Accordingly, a region ofthe first external surface 112 of the first substrate 110 is clear, andthus when a functional film, such as a reflection prevention film, atemporary protection film, or a polarization film, is attached on thefirst external surface 112 of the first substrate 110, the functionalfilm may cover all of the first external surface 112 while not coveringthe side surface, i.e., the first constant side surface 110 b of thefirst substrate 110.

If the first substrate 110 does not have the first constant region CR1,the side surface of the first substrate 110 may only include the firstincreasing side surface 110 a that is convex, and not include the firstconstant side surface 110 b. In this case, an angle formed by the firstincreasing side surface 110 a and the first external surface 112 at aregion where the first increasing side surface 110 a and the firstexternal surface 112 contact each other is obtuse, and thus a boundaryin the region where the first increasing side surface 110 a and thefirst external surface 112 contact each other may not be clear.Accordingly, when a film is attached to the first external surface 112,it is difficult to specify an edge of the first external surface 112where the film is to be attached, and thus the film may not be attachedto an accurate location

The same is applied to the second substrate 120. In the displayapparatus manufactured according to the method of the currentembodiment, the second substrate 120 has the second constant region CR2in which the region of the second substrate 120, which corresponds tothe display unit 130, has the uniform width in the direction (the −ydirection) from the second external surface 122 to the second internalsurface 121, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Accordingly, in the secondconstant region CR2, the second external surface 122 and the secondconstant side surface 120 b of the second substrate 120 areapproximately perpendicular to each other, and as a result, a boundaryis clear between the second external surface 122 and the second constantside surface 120 b of the second substrate 120. Accordingly, a region ofthe second external surface 122 of the second substrate 120 is clear,and thus when a functional film, such as a reflection prevention film, atemporary protection film, or a polarization film, is attached on thesecond external surface 122 of the second substrate 120, the functionalfilm may cover all of the second external surface 122 while not coveringthe side surface, i.e., the second constant side surface 120 b of thesecond substrate 120.

If the second substrate 120 does not have the second constant regionCR2, the side surface of the second substrate 120 may only include thesecond increasing side surface 120 a that is convex, and not include thesecond constant side surface 120 b. In this case, an angle formed by thesecond increasing side surface 120 a and the second external surface 122at a region where the second increasing side surface 120 a and thesecond external surface 122 contact each other is obtuse, and thus aboundary in the region where the second increasing side surface 120 aand the second external surface 122 contact each other may not be clear.Accordingly, when a film is attached to the second external surface 122,it is difficult to specify an edge of the second external surface 122where the film is to be attached, and thus the film may not be attachedto an accurate location

A method of easily cutting the first and second substrates 110 and 120will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 through 6.After bonding the first and second substrates 110 and 120 as describedabove with reference to FIG. 2, a region of the combining or adhesivemember 140 is exposed to light beams (for example, laser beams) as shownin FIG. 3. In detail, only the region 141 of the combining member 140 isexposed. The region 141 may be exposed via any one of various methods,and for example, using a photo mask 200. The photo mask has a blockingunit 220 formed on a partial region thereof and a light transmission orpenetration plate portion 210 as shown in FIG. 3. The photo mask 200 islocated such that the blocking unit 220 corresponds to the region 142and the light transmission portion 210 corresponds to the region 141 ofthe combining member 140, and then a laser beam may be irradiated to thecombining member 140. The laser beam may have 50 to 60 watts anduniformity of 90 to 95%. Irradiating the laser beams to the portion 141of the adhesive member 140, for example, formed of glass frit, cause theportion 141 to melt and then be cured. Thus, the adhesive member 140 mayinclude a cured portion 141 and an uncured portion 142.

Subsequently, the first and second substrates 110 and 120 are cut at acutting point in regions of the first external surface 112 and thesecond external surface 122 which correspond to the combining member140. The cutting point is closer to the display unit than a location (asecond point P2 of FIG. 4) between the exposed region 141 of thecombining member 140 and an unexposed region 142 of the combining member140. Referring to FIG. 4, for example, the first and second substrates110 and 120 may be cut from locations on the first and second externalsurfaces 112 and 122, which correspond to the second point P2 or a thirdpoint P3 of the combining member 140.

Such a point where the cutting starts will now be described in detail. Acenter of the region 141 of the combining member 140 may be defined as afirst point P1, the boundary between the exposed region 141 of thecombining member 140 and the unexposed region 142 of the combiningmember 140, may be defined as the second point P2, and a center betweenthe first and second points P1 and P2 may be defined as the third pointP3. In this case, the cutting point where the cutting starts may belocations on the first and second substrates 110 and 120, whichcorrespond to the third point P3, or locations on the first and secondsubstrates 110 and 120, which are between the second and third points P2and P3. In FIG. 5, the first and second substrates 110 and 120 are cutfrom locations corresponding to the third point P3 by using cuttingwheels 310 and 320.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a region A of FIG. 5, andillustrates internal stress generated by the combining member 140 in thefirst and second substrates 110 and 120. In FIG. 6, thin dashed linesindicate the internal stress and thick dashed lines indicate a cuttingline CL. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, when only theregion 141 of the combining member 140 is exposed to light beams andcured, the region 141 applies stress to the first and second substrates110 and 120, but the region 142 that is not exposed only contacts thefirst and second substrates 110 and 120 and does not apply stress to thefirst and second substrates 110 and 120 because, when the region 141 iscured after being exposed, the volume of the region 141 is reduced andthus stress is applied to the first and second substrates 110 and 120,but the region 142 does not go through such processes. Accordingly, theinternal stress is distributed in the first and second substrates 110and 120 as shown in the thin dashed lines in FIG. 6.

Under such circumstances, when the cutting starts from, for example,locations on the first and second substrates 110 and 120, whichcorrespond to the third point P3 of the combining member 140, by usingthe cutting wheels 310 and 320, as shown in FIG. 5, the vicinities ofthe first external surface 112 of the first substrate 110 and the secondexternal surface 122 of the second substrate 120 are cut first.Accordingly, the first constant side surface 110 b (refer to FIG. 8) ofthe first substrate 110 and the second constant side surface 120 b(refer to FIG. 8) of the second substrate 120 are formed.

At this time, the first and second substrates 110 and 120 are naturallyor spontaneously cut along the cutting line CL of FIG. 6 such that theside surfaces of the first and second substrates 110 and 120 are convexaccording to the internal stress of the first and second substrates 110and 120 formed by the stress applied by the region 141 to the first andsecond substrates 110 and 120, and thus the side surfaces of the firstand second substrates 110 and 120 are convex as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.The cutting line CL may pass through a boundary between the region 141and the region 142 of the combining member 140 as shown in FIG. 6because the region 141 is located on a side near to the display unit 130with respect to the cutting line CL since the region 141 combines thefirst and second substrate 110 and 120, and the region 142 is located ona side distant from the display unit 130 with respect to the cuttingline CL since the region 142 only contacts the first and secondsubstrates 110 and 120 and does not combine the first and secondsubstrate 110 and 120.

If the first and second substrates 110 and 120 are not naturally orspontaneously cut despite the first constant side surface 110 b (referto FIG. 8) and the second constant side surface 120 b (refer to FIG. 8)are formed, slight force or a slight impact may be applied to the firstsubstrate 110 and/or the second substrate 120 such that the sidesurfaces of the first and second substrates 110 and 120 are naturallycut along the cutting line CL of FIG. 6 to be convex. For reference,with respect to the cutting line CL of FIG. 6, regions excluding thoseapproximately perpendicular to the first external surface 112 of thefirst substrate 110 and the second external surface 122 of the secondsubstrate 120 may be understood to be approximately perpendicular to theinternal stress (the thin dashed lines in FIG. 6) formed in the firstand second substrates 110 and 120. In the illustrated embodiments, thefirst and second substrates may be cut without further advancing thecutting wheels beyond the constant regions CR1 and CR2 toward theadhesive member 140.

When the first constant side surface 110 b (refer to FIG. 8) and thesecond constant side surface 120 b (refer to FIG. 8) are respectivelyformed in the first and second substrates 110 and 120, the firstexternal surface 112 of the first substrate 110 and the second externalsurface 122 of the second substrate 120 may be simultaneously cut inwardby respectively using the cutting wheels 320 and 310.

As described above, with respect to the cutting line CL of FIG. 6, thefirst and second substrates 110 and 120 are naturally or spontaneouslycut according to the internal stress of the first and second substrates110 and 120 along the regions excluding those approximatelyperpendicular to the first external surface 112 of the first substrate110 and the second external surface 122 of the second substrate 120. Ifthe first constant side surface 110 b (refer to FIG. 8) of the firstsubstrate 110 is formed first and the second constant side surface 120 b(refer to FIG. 8) of the second substrate 120 is formed later, the firstand second substrates 110 and 120 may start to be cut by the internalstress at the moment when the first constant side surface 110 b (referto FIG. 8) of the first substrate 110 is formed. In this case, thesecond constant side surface 120 b (refer to FIG. 8) of the secondsubstrate 120, which is approximately perpendicular to the secondexternal surface 122 of the second substrate 120, may not be properlyformed. Accordingly, the first external surface 112 of the firstsubstrate 110 and the second external surface 122 of the secondsubstrate 120 may be simultaneously cut inward by respectively using thecutting wheels 320 and 310, so as to form the first constant sidesurface 110 b (refer to FIG. 8) and the second constant side surface 120b (refer to FIG. 8).

Meanwhile, in the display apparatus manufactured as such, a radius ofcurvature of an inner surface 141 b of the region 141 and a radius ofcurvature of an outer surface 141 a of the region 141 may be different,as shown in FIG. 8. In detail, the radius of curvature of the innersurface 141 b may be smaller than the radius of curvature of the outersurface 141 a.

As described above, while locating the combining member 140 andcombining the first and second substrates 110 and 120, the side surfaceof the combining member 140 becomes convex as shown in FIG. 2.Accordingly, in the region 141 of the combining member 140 of FIG. 8,the inner surface 141 b maintains to be convex.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the combining member 140 isexposed and then the first and second substrates 110 and 120 are cut,the combining member 140 is cut near the boundary between the regions141 and 142 while being cut along the cutting line CL. At this time, asshown in FIG. 8, the first increasing side surface 110 a of the firstsubstrate 110, which is the side surface of the first increasing regionIR1, the outer surface 141 a of the region 141, and the secondincreasing side surface 120 a of the second substrate 120, which is theside surface of the second increasing region IR2, form a convex surface,and in detail, such a convex surface is continuous. Here, the outersurface 141 a of the region 141 is near a vertex of the convex surface,and thus a radius of curvature of the outer surface 141 a is larger thana radius of curvature of the inner surface 141 b.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view for describing a process of a method ofmanufacturing a display apparatus, according to another embodiment.According to the method described above, when a region of the combiningmember 140 is exposed to light beams, the photo mask 200 in which theblocking unit 220 is formed on a partial region as shown in FIG. 3 isused. However, according to the method of the current embodiment, ablocking pattern 222 formed on the second external surface 122 of thesecond substrate 120 as shown in FIG. 9 is used instead of the photomask 200. As shown in FIG. 9, the blocking pattern 222 may correspond tothe region 142 of the combining member 140 instead of the region 141.The blocking pattern 222 may prevent a laser beam from irradiating onthe region 141 of the combining member 140.

While manufacturing the display apparatus, the display apparatus havinga touch screen function may be manufactured. In order to realize thetouch screen function, a touch screen conductive pattern is formed onthe second external surface 122 of the second substrate 120, and bysimultaneously forming the blocking pattern 222 and the touch screenconductive pattern, the blocking pattern 222 may be naturally formedwithout having to perform an additional operation. Of course, when thefirst and second substrates 110 and 120 are cut later, the blockingpattern 222 may be removed from the display apparatus.

The touch screen conductive pattern or the blocking pattern 222 may beformed on the second external surface 122 of the second substrate 120before bonding the second substrate 120 to the first substrate 110.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view for describing a process of a methodof manufacturing a display apparatus, according to another embodiment.

According to the methods described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and9, when a region of the combining member 140 is exposed, only the region141 of the combining member 140 is exposed. However, an embodiment isnot limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when a touchscreen conductive pattern 224 exists on the second external surface 122of the second substrate 120, as well as the blocking pattern 222, thetouch screen conductive pattern 224 may block a laser beam like theblocking pattern 222. Accordingly, only the region 141 excluding tworegions 142 and 143 at edges of the combining member 140 may be exposedto a laser beam. For reference, FIG. 10 illustrates only a part of thetouch screen conductive pattern 224.

In this case, the first and second substrates 110 and 120 are cut fromlocations corresponding to the third point P3 adjacent to the displayunit 130 than a boundary between the exposed region 141 of the combiningmember 140 and the unexposed region 142 of the combining member 142which is far from the display unit from among the regions 142 and 143,in regions of the first and second external surfaces 112 and 122, whichcorrespond to the combining member 140.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are respectively a plan view and a cross-sectional viewfor describing a process of method of manufacturing a display apparatus,according to another embodiment. Hereinabove, one display apparatus ismanufactured, but an embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, asshown in FIG. 11, a plurality of display cells C may be simultaneouslymanufactured to manufacture a plurality of display apparatuses.

For example, a mother panel MP shown in FIG. 11 may be formed by forminga plurality of display units spaced apart on the first substrate 110,and combining the first and second substrates 110 and 120 by using thecombining member 140. Here, the combining member 140 may surround eachof the plurality of display units. In FIG. 11, dashed lines around thedisplay cells C show regions where the combining member 140 is located.Next, as shown in FIG. 12, a region of the combining member 140 may beexposed. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a region of two adjacentdisplay cells of FIG. 11. Then, when parts of the first and secondsubstrates 110 and 120 are cut, by using a cutting wheel, from regionsof the first and second substrates 110 and 120, which correspond to theregion 141 of the combining member 140, for example, from the thirdpoint P3 of FIG. 12, the plurality of display apparatuses having convexside surfaces may be manufactured.

According to a general method of manufacturing a display apparatus, thecombining member 140 is entirely exposed, and then the first and secondsubstrates 110 and 120 are cut from a center region between the adjacentdisplay cells C, i.e., from a center region between the combiningmembers 140 of the adjacent display cells C. Accordingly, a gap Gbetween the adjacent display cells C needs to be sufficiently maintainedto obtain a cut location, and thus the number of display cells Csimultaneously formed on the mother panel MP is limited.

However, according to the method of the current embodiment, whilecutting the first and second substrates 110 and 120, the first andsecond substrates 110 and 120 are cut on the combining member 140 alongthe dashed lines instead of between the display cells C. Accordingly,the gap G between the display cells C may be reduced, and thus thenumber of display cells C simultaneously formed on the mother panel MPmay be increased, thereby remarkably reducing expenses and time formanufacturing the display apparatuses.

Meanwhile, in FIGS. 11 and 12, the adjacent display cells C individuallyinclude the combining member 140, but an embodiment is not limitedthereto. For example, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view for describing aprocess of a method of manufacturing a display apparatus, according toanother embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the adjacent display cells Cmay share the combining member 140. In this case, when the combiningmember 140 is exposed to light beams by using the photo mask 200 inwhich the blocking unit 220 is formed on the partial region, only theregion 141 of the combining member 140 may be exposed. In this case, thephoto mask 200 may be located so that the blocking unit 220 maycorrespond to a center region of the combining member 140. Then, aplurality of display apparatuses having convex side surfaces may bemanufactured by cutting parts of the first and second substrates 110 and120 by using a cutting wheel, from regions of the first and secondsubstrates 110 and 120, which correspond to the region 141 of thecombining member 140, for example, from the third point P3 of FIG. 13.

Of course, as modified examples of the methods described above withreference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the plurality of display apparatuses maybe manufactured by forming a blocking pattern corresponding to theblocking unit 220 of the photo mask 200 on the second external surface122 of the second substrate 120, instead of using the photo mask 200.

The methods of manufacturing a display apparatus have been describedabove, but embodiments are not limited thereto, and a display apparatusmay also be within the scope of the present invention.

A display apparatus according to an embodiment may have a structureshown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 that is the enlarged cross-sectional view ofthe region B of FIG. 7. In embodiments, the display apparatus mayinclude the first substrate 110, the second substrate 120, and thedisplay unit 130 disposed between the first and second substrates 110and 120. Here, the first substrate 110 may have the first constantregion CR1 having a uniform width and the first increasing region IR1having an increasing width, in the direction (the +y direction) from thefirst external surface 112 to the first internal surface 111. Also, thesecond substrate 120 may have the second constant region CR2 having auniform width and the second increasing region IR2 having an increasingwidth, in the direction (the −y direction) from the second externalsurface 122 to the second internal surface 121.

The display apparatus according to the current embodiment has a sidesurface that is convex overall as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. When the sidesurface is convex as such, a probability of the display apparatus beingdamaged by an external impact is low compared to when the side surfaceis flat and perpendicular to the first or second external surface 112 or122. When the side surface of the display apparatus is convex overall,an effect as if the display apparatus has an arch structure isdisplayed, and thus impact resistance, in detail, strength with respectto a side impact, is increased. Accordingly, the display apparatushaving excellent impact resistance is realized.

At this time, with respect to a thickness of the first substrate 110 inthe +y direction, a region occupied by the first constant region CR1 maybe larger than a region occupied by the first increasing region IR1. Forexample, with respect to the thickness of the first substrate 110 in the+y direction, the region occupied by the first constant region CR1 maybe smaller than or equal to ½ of the region occupied by the firstincreasing region IR1. Similarly, with respect to a thickness of thesecond substrate 120 in the +y direction, a region occupied by thesecond constant region CR2 may be smaller than or equal to ½ of theregion occupied by the second increasing region IR2.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the display apparatus accordingto the current embodiment, the first substrate 110 has the firstconstant region CR1 in which the region of the first substrate 110,which corresponds to the display unit 130, has the uniform width in thedirection (the +y direction) from the first external surface 112 to thefirst internal surface 111. Accordingly, in the first constant regionCR1, the first external surface 112 and the first constant side surface110 b of the first substrate 110 are approximately perpendicular to eachother, and as a result, a boundary is clear between the first externalsurface 112 and the first constant side surface 110 b of the firstsubstrate 110. Accordingly, a region of the first external surface 112of the first substrate 110 is clear, and thus when a functional film,such as a reflection prevention film, a temporary protection film, or apolarization film, is attached on the first external surface 112 of thefirst substrate 110, the functional film may cover all of the firstexternal surface 112 while not covering the side surface, i.e., thefirst constant side surface 110 b of the first substrate 110.

If the first substrate 110 does not have the first constant region CR1,the side surface of the first substrate 110 may only include the firstincreasing side surface 110 a that is convex, and not include the firstconstant side surface 110 b. In this case, an angle formed by the firstincreasing side surface 110 a and the first external surface 112 at aregion where the first increasing side surface 110 a and the firstexternal surface 112 contact each other is obtuse, and thus a boundaryin the region where the first increasing side surface 110 a and thefirst external surface 112 contact each other may not be clear.Accordingly, when a film is attached to the first external surface 112,it is difficult to specify an edge of the first external surface 112where the film is to be attached, and thus the film may not be attachedto an accurate location. The same is applied to the second substrate120.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the display apparatus according tothe current embodiment may further include the combining member 140 thatcombines the first and second substrates 110 and 120 by being locatedbetween the edge of the first internal surface 111 and the edge of thesecond internal surface 121. At this time, a radius of curvature of theinner surface 141 b of the region 141 and a radius of curvature of theouter surface 141 a of the region 141 may be different from each other.In detail, the radius of curvature of the inner surface 141 b may besmaller than the radius of curvature of the outer surface 141 a, anddetails thereof have been described above with reference to the methodof manufacturing the display apparatus.

Regarding the side surface of the display apparatus, the firstincreasing side surface 110 a of the first substrate 110, which is theside surface of the first increasing region IR1, the outer surface 141 aof the region 141, and the second increasing side surface 120 a of thesecond substrate 120, which is the side surface of the second increasingregion IR2, form a convex surface, and in detail, such a convex surfaceis continuous. Here, the outer surface 141 a of the region 141 is near avertex of the convex surface.

The display apparatus according to an embodiment may further include afilm that covers at least one of the first external surface 112 of thefirst substrate 110 and the second external surface 122 of the secondsubstrate 120, while not covering a side surface. Accordingly, the filmmay be accurately located as described above.

According to the one or more embodiments described above, a displayapparatus that is easily manufactured and has increased impactresistance, and a method of manufacturing the display apparatus may berealized.

While one or more embodiments have been described with reference to thefigures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat various changes in form and details may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus comprising: a first substratecomprising a first external surface and a first internal surface; asecond substrate having a second external surface and a second internalsurface facing the first internal surface of the first substrate; and adisplay unit disposed between the first and second substrates andcomprising an array of pixels, wherein the first substrate comprises afirst side connecting the first external surface and the first internalsurface, wherein, in a cross section perpendicular to the first externalsurface, the first side comprises a first straight region and a firstcurved region located between the first straight region and the firstinternal surface, and wherein the second substrate comprises a secondside connecting the first external surface and the first internalsurface, wherein, in the cross section, the second side comprises asecond straight region and a second curved region located between thesecond straight region and the second internal surface.
 2. The displayapparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive member disposedbetween the first internal surface and the second internal surface andcombining the first and second substrates together.
 3. The displayapparatus of claim 2, wherein the adhesive member comprises an outerside surface and an inner side surface which are curved, wherein aradius of curvature of the inner side surface is less than a radius ofcurvature of the outer surface.
 4. The display apparatus of claim 2,wherein the adhesive member comprises an outer side surface which iscurved, wherein the first curved region of the first substrate, theouter side surface of the adhesive member, and the second curved regionof the second substrate form a convex surface.
 5. The display apparatusof claim 4, wherein, in the cross section, the convex surface has acontinuously curved feature.
 6. The display apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first straight region of the first substrate issubstantially perpendicular to the first external surface of the firstsubstrate.
 7. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the secondstraight region of the second substrate is substantially perpendicularto the second external surface of the second substrate.
 8. The displayapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a film covering the firstexternal surface while not covering the first side of the firstsubstrate.
 9. A method of manufacturing a display apparatus, the methodcomprising: providing an intermediate product comprising: a firstsubstrate comprising a first external surface and a first internalsurface; a second substrate comprising a second external surface and asecond internal surface; a display unit comprising an array of pixelsdisposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and anadhesive member located between the first internal surface of the firstsubstrate and the second internal surface of the second substrate tosurround the display unit and combining the first and second substratestogether; and cutting the intermediate product to make a final product,wherein, in the final product, the first substrate comprises a firstside connecting the first external surface and the first internalsurface, wherein, in a cross section perpendicular to the first externalsurface, the first side comprises a first straight region and a firstcurved region located between the first straight region and the firstinternal surface, and further such that the second substrate comprises asecond side connecting the first external surface and the first internalsurface, wherein, in the cross section, the second side comprises asecond straight region and a second curved region located between thesecond straight region and the second internal surface.
 10. The methodof claim 9, further comprising irradiating light beams to a part of theadhesive member such that after curing the adhesive member, the adhesivemember comprises a cured portion and an uncured portion, the curedportion being disposed between the display unit and the uncured portion.11. The method of claim 10, wherein cutting comprises moving a firstcutter to contact the first substrate at a first cutting point on thefirst external surface, the first cutting point being located between anoutermost end of the cured portion and the display unit when viewed in aviewing direction perpendicular to the first external surface.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein, when a center of the cured portion isdefined between the outermost end and an innermost end of the curedportion, the first cutting point is located between the outermost endand the center of the cured portion.
 13. The method of claim 11, whereincutting further comprises advancing the first cutter in a thicknessdirection of the first substrate toward the first internal surface onlya first distance which is smaller than a thickness of the firstsubstrate such that a remaining portion of the first substrate is cutwithout further advancing the first cutter in the thickness direction ofthe first substrate toward the first internal surface.
 14. The method ofclaim 11, wherein cutting further comprises moving a second cutter tocontact the second substrate at a second cutting point on the secondexternal surface, the second cutting point being located between theoutermost end of the cured portion and the display unit when viewed in aviewing direction perpendicular to the first external surface.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein cutting further comprises advancing thefirst cutter in a thickness direction of the first substrate toward thefirst internal surface only a first distance which is smaller than athickness of the first substrate, and advancing the second cutter in athickness direction of the second substrate toward the second internalsurface only a second distance which is smaller than a thickness of thesecond substrate, wherein remaining portions of the first and secondsubstrates are cut without further advancing the first and secondcutters toward the first and second interior surfaces, respectively. 16.The method of claim 15, wherein the remaining portions of the first andsecond substrates are spontaneously cut or the remaining portions of thefirst and second substrates are cut by applying a force to the first orsecond substrate.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein cutting furthercomprises transferring the first cutter along a first predetermined linealong the first external surface and transferring the second cutteralong a second predetermined line along the second external surfaceafter advancing the first and second cutters, wherein the first andsecond predetermined lines overlap the cured portion of the adhesivemember.
 18. The method of claim 10, further comprising forming aconductive pattern for a touch screen and a blocking pattern over thesecond external surface of the second substrate, wherein the blockingpattern blocks the light beams not to reach the other part of theadhesive member while irradiating the light beams to form the uncuredportion of the adhesive member.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein theuncured portion of the adhesive member and the blocking pattern areremoved while cutting the intermediate product.
 20. The method of claim9, further comprising adhering a film covering at least one of the firstexternal surface of the first substrate and the second external surfaceof the second substrate while not covering side surfaces of the firstsubstrate and the second substrate.